Readers sound off on circuses, trains and guns

Free animals from circus cruelty

Manhattan: Cedric Walker ("Please let our circus live" Op-Ed, June 21) is being disingenuous by claiming that if wild animals are banned from his UniverSoul Circus, it means the demise of his business and the jobs of his employees. Supporters of the ban have never said Walker's circus (or any circus) should close.

Talented performers exist in all circuses, and the public wants to see them continue their wonderful work. But wild animals don't belong in cages. They are not designed to stand on their heads. They were not put on Earth to entertain us. They have a right to live as nature intended. Using wild animals in circuses is an old tradition, before we understood that animals have intelligence and feelings. Just because a tradition exists does not mean it is desirable nor that it should continue. Humans evolve and so should traditions.

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Walker claims that those supporting the Council bill are engaging in "aggressive theatrics" to sway public opinion. I know many supporters of this ban, myself included, who have never and would never be aggressive to anyone. However, if speaking openly and honestly, and sometimes loudly, about the plight of these animals constitutes aggressiveness, so be it. These animals have no voice or I'm sure they would be shouting from their tents, "Remove my chains! Stop hitting me with that bullhook! Start seeing and treating me as a sentient being, and not a commodity to be used for the pleasure of humans!"

Finally, Walker claims that his animals get inspected when he comes to town. They probably do. But who is watching them get trained? Where are the eyes to supervise their daily lives, when they're not performing? The truth is, the eyes are elsewhere, which means these animals are at the mercy of their trainers and handlers, who often show no mercy. Let the show go on — but without wild animals. April Lang

Joke’s on the Dems

South Hempstead, L.I.: The Democrats tried to buy another election and lost. Again. The media's phony polls were all wrong. Again. They both underestimated President Trump's popularity. Again. I guess they'll blame it on the Russians. Again. Michael Quane

America first

Holtsville, L.I.: So the California carpetbaggers and their millions still couldn't buy the liberal Democrats a congressional seat in Georgia. Maybe if they try putting America and Americans first and quit lying, they'll get somewhere. Joseph Beyhl

Cutting some fares only

Bronx: So riders affected by diverted LIRR trains will get a 25% fare cut due to the inconvenience. Where is my fare cut for the inconvenience of the No. 5 train not running along the Dyre Ave. line almost every weekend and my having to walk three blocks to take a shuttle bus? Or do only suburban commuters get taken care of? W. Twirley

Keep the money on signals

Great Neck, L.I.: The MTA must reprogram the $695 million Metro-North East Bronx Penn Station Access, the $1.7 billion Second Ave. subway Phase 2 and the $1.95 billion LIRR Main Line Third Track to help fund upgrading subway signals. This would provide a solid down payment against $20 billion needed to bring subway system signals up to a state of good repair. All three canceled projects can be funded out of the next MTA 2020-24 five-year capital plan. This still provides ample time for both Metro-North East Bronx Penn Station Access and LIRR Main Line Third Track project completions to coincide with LIRR East Side Access to Grand Central by December 2023 or 2024. Larry Penner

Zeroing targets

East Elmhurst: Rep. Mo Brooks from Alabama is introducing legislation to allow federal lawmakers to carry guns. That's an excellent idea, congressman. Now not only can you argue and fight with each other, you can also shoot each other, and don't forget the horses, too. Dino Pavlou

Where is our protection?

Staten Island: In view of the recent tragic congressional shooting, there is now a movement to arm members of Congress. Are we, as sane, rational, emotionally stable citizens, not entitled to the same right of self-protection as members of Congress, or is this a government of the elite, by the elite and for the elite? Rolly A. Lessin

Easy call

Israel travel advice

Brooklyn: There are cheap flights to Israel from Washington, Boston, Montreal and Toronto. In September, people will be able to book flights to Israel for as low as $300 round trip through Iceland on WOW air. Sometimes there are flights from Washington, Boston, Montreal and Toronto that can be hundreds of dollars cheaper than flights from New York. For example, a flight from New York to Israel on United or El Al can cost around $1,400, while a flight for the same dates on Air Transat from Montreal can cost about $800. Levi Ginsburg

Grossly wrong

Manhattan: Why does the Daily News print ridiculous, grossly offensive letters? Voicer Juanita M. Johnson claims she "knows a woman who was raped" and because that one woman "would never call her attacker," it justified Bill Cosby's mistrial. Every single person on the planet reacts differently than every other in any situation. Please spare us from inane commentary when covering a subject as important and as gut-wrenching as rape. Sam Katz

Babel is us

Forest Hills: The Daily News and CUNY helping people become citizens is great, but that means that they have been here long enough to learn English, so why is assistance available in more than 50 languages? We're still making it easy for them. Sherri Rosen

Inconsistent on food stamps

Manhattan: If folks like me on EBT/food stamps cannot order over the phone while folks with debit cards and credit cards can, isn't that discrimination? It is high time to allow orders by phone for those of us who cannot get to the stores. After all, it is money upfront. I am willing to fax over a bill or lease with my address, EBT/food stamp card and photo ID to the supermarket. I'm being discriminated against. Rules must change at once for the disabled and blind and seniors of NYC. Helen Murphy

Remember when?

Surf City, N.J.: Oh, Daily News, where was your outrage when the Affordable Care Act was in the works? Crafted by Jonathan Gruber (not an elected government representative), not to be understood by the "stupid" electorate, and we were told that it had to pass so that we could know what was in it? Jeanette Nichols

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The health hypocrisy

North Massapequa, L.I.: So, Sen. Chuck Schumer is raising the alarm as GOPers try to rush through a health care bill before it's thoroughly examined. Senator, let me be the first to thank you, as I remember you said exactly the same thing when Nancy Pelosi said of Obamacare that "we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it." I'm so glad that you are my senator and not playing politics with this issue. Steven Malichek

Hated the bike cops

Manhattan: Is Voicer Catherine Gasta new to New York, or has the police force changed? They already have bike cops. At least they did when I was a bike messenger a decade ago. And ask any messenger who rode during that time, those were the absolute worst the NYPD had to offer: aggressive, violent, hostile and deranged, issuing tickets for stuff you'd see them doing only moments later and bringing to mind the theory that there's a conspiracy to keep the poor as they are, because what else would justify imposing such gross financial penalties against people who already rode bicycles for a living? Dickie Bhee

Dairy dumbness

Forest Hills: A recent poll found 7% of adult Americans believe chocolate milk comes from brown cows. No wonder this country elected Donald Trump. Alan Hirschberg

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Atrocious reasoning

Plainview, L.I.: That Energy Secretary Rick Perry could blame global warming on "the ocean" and still be qualified for a cabinet position is a disgrace. All the more credit to New York State government for pursuing sensible policies in the face of this foolishness at the national level. Sean McDonough

You feel better, Philip

Newcastle, Australia: I'm very sorry to hear that Prince Philip is unwell. I am a very big fan of the monarchy and wish to send him my best wishes as his subject. Jenny Stephenson